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NCJ Number:

NCJ 190134

Title:

Demonstration of a Concealed Weapons Detection System Using Electromagnetic Resonances, Final Report

This report describes the activities and outcomes of a project
commissioned to develop a breadboard model that can use
cost-effective technology to show that a wide bandwidth radar
sensor can detect a weapon being carried by an individual in a
noisy operational environment, as well as to improve the
signal-to-noise ratio of the breadboard detector and integrate
the breadboard electronics into a brassboard package suitable for
field testing.

Abstract:

The major objectives of the first phase of the project were to
determine the ability of the detector to discern between a weapon
and common nuisance objects such as cellular phones, as well as
to determine how the various elements of the detector system
contributed to overall detection performance. Major objectives of
the second phase of the project were to determine the variability
in detector system performance through limited field testing and
ascertain the impact of operational constraints. The project
objectives were largely met. It developed a brassboard
detection system that performed consistently in a field
environment. The system detected concealed weapons on
individuals at distances of 15 feet and detected weapons
being concealed behind the back. Although not hand-held, it is
portable, self-contained, and can operate under battery power for
8 hours. Its power output is 100mW, which is well within the
range for human safety, and it is likely that the manufacturing
cost of a single unit would be between $500 and $1,000. The
project found, however, that the false alarm rate with the
existing signal classification algorithm was currently too high
for operational use. The signals due to weapons were buried in a
large "noise" component due to the person, and there are large
variations in the signature from person to person. This made
relying on matching patterns as a means of classification
unreliable. It will be necessary to reduce the effect of the body
signal, so that of the weapon is prominent. There are signal
processing and additional hardware development techniques that
can be used to improve the detection performance. 44 figures

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